Sunday, January 2, 2011

Custard-Filled Cornbread


Though we are into 2011 and the holidays are past, I want to share one more recipe from our Christmas Dinner.  Our friends Ron and Andrea brought this magical corn bread to our celebration garnering plenty of "Ooooohs" and "Aaaahs" as first bites were taken and finding most of us reaching for seconds soon after.

Taken from Marion Cunningham's The Breakfast Book, the commentary describes the bread with a "creamy, barely set custard" that will have formed just below the browned top.  Rich, decadent and oh so good, this cornbread is a wonderful weekend treat.

Knowing that I would want to blog much of the food we had that evening, I had no less than 4 photographic helpers in the kitchen!  Ron, food stylist extraordinaire, Devon and Charlotte photo and styling assistants and myself.  The scene was somewhat comical as we set the Prime Rib Roast on the side counter clearing away the area with the most space to photo this bread.  My husband was attempting to carve the roast, my friend Becky scooping roasted vegetables into the proper bowls, Mom and the kids setting water glasses on the table and the 4 of us, tripod between us with a light held overhead, styling our cornbread shot.  I have to admit that these are not my work, but that of my wonderful Holiday Photo Team!  My kitchen is not that big, and to say that it was a bit chaotic is an understatement.  But they got the shot!




Custard-Filled Cornbread
Marion Cunningham, The Breakfast Book

2 eggs
3 Tbs butter, melted
3 Tbs Sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 Tbs white vinegar
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350º.  Butter an 8-inch baking dish (round our square) or pan that is about 2 inches deep  Put the buttered dish into the oven and let it get hot while you mix the batter.

Put the eggs into a mixing bowl and add the melted butter.  Beat until the mixture is well blended.  Add the sugar, salt, milk, and vinegar and beat well.  Sift into a bowl the flour, cornmeal baking powder and baking soda.  Add to egg mixture, mixing just until the batter is smooth and no lumps appear.

Pour the batter into the heated dish, then pour the cream into the center of the batter - don't stir!  Bake for 1 hour, or until lightly browned on top.  Serve warm.


The Girls... post photo shoot!

39 comments:

  1. Custard and cornbread together - you know this has to be great! How wonderful to have friends that understand the need to take photos before dinner.

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  2. This sounds like a fantastic adaptation of cornbread :) I can imagine it being super moist and delicious at the Christmas dinner table! Hope 2011 brings you fantastic things :)

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  3. I like this combination and I can imagine it taste awesome!

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  4. That looks like amazing cornbread. It's always so dry and crumbly, but it looks so moist and cake-like.

    And let me tell you: if i could sit that many photo assistants in my kitchen, I would, but I don't trust anyone in this house with a camera.

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  5. Oh.My.God! I need to close the browser immediately or I know I will go directly to the kitchen and make it. I just started very recently to make my own cornbread. I never though of making such a wonderful variation!

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  6. This is such a good idea! I've recently been wondering about a corn custard or something of the like and this just sounds perfect. What a great remedy for dry and bland cornbread!

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  7. You make cornbread look beautiful. You have an awesome team! I hope your new year is off to a delicious start! Maybe it will warm up just a bit...and dry out a pinch!

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  8. It's so awesome that your friends and family pitched in to get the perfect shot! I bet the custard made this cornbread so good. Most others tend to be either too greasy or dry. The custard is a brilliant idea. Happy New Year, Kim!

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  9. This bread sounds scrumptious! Almost like a corn pudding! I bet this was gone quick ;)!

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  10. This really sounds great to me, as I dont like the conventional dry corn bread cant wait to try this one!
    ★•.¸¸.•*¨*❤•.¸¸.•*¨*☆•.¸¸.•*¨*❤
    HAPPY NEW 2011 YEAR!!!
    ❤•.¸¸.•*¨*☆•.¸¸.•*¨*❤•.¸¸.•*¨*★

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  11. I'm oooohing and ahhing here. Love the custard combi.

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  12. The custard in the middle of cornbread sounds incredible, a super delicious combination!

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  13. Mmmm this sounds AMAZING, seriously. I would want to eat the whole entire thing. Thank you sooo much for the recipe! :)

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  14. Wow! I never would have thought of custard in corn bread. I can't wait to make this with my chili. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  15. This reminds me of the caramel custard cake of my childhood!

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  16. Ok this recipe is killing my new years resolutions... but I still want it. Love cornbread! Happy New Year!!! <3

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  17. I am definitely going to have to try this. I am so intrigued with the flavors and texture combination. How nice for you to have a team of photographers at a dinner! The shots turned out great.

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  18. what a great recipe! My dad will totally freak out when I make this for him...will go perfectly with chili!

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  19. I'm using this recipe next time I make cornbread...looks incredible!!!

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  20. Wow....what a neat recipe. I've never seen a cornbread like it.

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  21. Looks divine! My children love love cornbread. How lucky are you to have such professional help while you were cooking. They did a fantastic job.

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  22. The Breakfast Book has a place of honour on my cookbook shelf (that and its companion, The Supper Book)... it's a totally underappreciated classic, IMO.
    Strangely enough, though, I never even noticed this recipe despite the fact that I regularly flip through it for inspiration... I guess I got distracted by all the other goodies. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! I'm definitely making a batch of this tonight. :)

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  23. Oh, this in no way resembles the dry cornbread I'm used to. This looks amazing!

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  24. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving that sweet comment! Your blog is really lovely and I've enjoyed looking through your beautiful archives. This cornbread looks amazing and I love its decadent texture!

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  25. I don't ear cornbread, but I'm about to start! This is amazing!

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  26. Wow. I mean, WOW! It sounds and looks amazing. I predict top 9 for this one!

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  27. I don't think I've been so excited to try a recipe in a long time. This looks and sounds just amazing! I adore cornbread, and who doesn't love a little bit of custard? Wow! I can't wait to give this a try. You girls are adorable, by the way! Thank you so much for sharing with me!

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  28. Cornbread AND custard? This has to be good! I've got to try this! Thank you for the recipe!

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  29. I've had a curious relationship with cornbread. When I've visited the States and ordered it, something always goes wrong with the order and I end up getting something else delivered to my table. I think it was fate making sure that the first cornbread I taste is the Ultimate Cornbread! BTW congrats to the Holiday Photo Team - good job!

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  30. This cornbread looks so good, especially with the custard in the middle. Your photo team did a remarkable job. Are they for hire?

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  31. Gorgeous photos and a great example of team work :-) Combining custard and cornbread sounds too appealing, I'll have to give this a try. Happy New Year for 2011, Kim!

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  32. Oh my, I'm not kidding, I worked like 15 hours today, and I saw a photo of this and I had to run over and drool over it. I have to try this after I get a good nights sleep! Happy New Years!
    -Gina-

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  33. This looks amazing! I've got everything I need and am going to make it tomorrow! Just have to figure out what to make with it!

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  34. That looks wonderful. I would never thinkg of putting custard with corn bread.

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  35. This is one of my favorite cookbooks! Love this recipe.

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  36. This sounds so amazing. I love cornbread, but this takes it to a whole new level. Your team did a great job with the pictures. Thanks for the recipe!

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  37. Okay so I made this, I put actual custard filling.instead of the cream. it turned out beautifully... gorgeous golden brown etc etc.. one problem.. it was too salty.. ;( .. next time I am going to add more sugar .. I would prefer it sweet..

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  38. I made this last night for a pre-Thanksgiving potluck with friends, and this was a serious hit. It was so easy and SO good, can't wait to make this again for Thanksgiving dinner with family!

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  39. Yay!! I'm so glad that the cornbread was a hit for you. We have a standing request with our neighbors that whenever they come for dinner, this comes with them!

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